Dental articulator



E. J. CAYO DENTAL ARTICULATOR Dec. 10, 1968 Filed OCT.. 19, 1966 2Sheets-Sheet l nl w WJ 3% m Nn Nv QM L Q f d Sm. l www ww MMM ATTORNEYS"Dec. 10, 1968 E. J, CAYO DENTALV ARTICULATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct.19, 1966 INVENTOR {drm/22d fo/'aya BY 4j: kJ/@m A'ITQRNEY'S UnitedStates Patent O 3,414,977 DENTAL ARTICULATOR Edmund J. Cayo, R.D. 2,Castleton-on- Hudson, N.Y. 12033 Filed Oct. 19, 1966, Ser. No. 587,79412 Claims. (Cl. 32-32) The present invention relates to a new and noveldental articulator, and more particularly to an articulator for making'and fitting artificial dentures.

The present invention represents an improvement over U.S. Patent No.2,348,606. The articulator of the present invention is adapted to beutilized in the same manner as that illustrated in the aforementionedU.S. patent, the only difference in the operating procedure being thefact that the template of the present invention may be employed in adifferent manner from that suggested in the aforementioned patent.Otherwise, the same general steps of making and fitting artificialdentures may be followed.

The present invention represents an improvement over the aforementionedpatent structure in providing adjustable stop means to limit thedownward movement of the support means of the apparatus whereby suchdownward movement may be accurately predetermined. With `thisarrangement, the support means may be provided with a certain amount ofswinging movement when setting up the teeth, and then the adjustablestop members may be adjusted so as to further limit downward movement ofthe support means so that it will not swing downwardly as far to therebyallow milling of the teeth to provide the finished product.

An additional novel feature of the present invention is the provision ofan additional support socket member for each of the spherical fulcrurnmembers. These additional socket members provide better alignment of thesupport means supported by such fulcrum members, and in addition, thesocket members are adjustably mounted so that the degree of freedom ofmovement of .the spherical fulcrum members can be readily varied asdesired.

A further improved feature of the present invention is the provision ofnovel indicating means on particular portions of the apparatus whichreadily visibly indicates the exact spacing of the crosshead and supportmeans of the structure with respect to the base means thereby enablingthe spacing to be quickly and accurately adjusted.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a noveldenture model including the unique mounting plate or platform whichenables the plaster mounting of the model -to be of thicker constructionso as to prevent cracking thereof, and wherein the plate or platform isof such a construction as to provide a better mechanical interconnectionwith the plaster mounting.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel dentalarticulator for making and fitting artificial dentures.

Another object of the linvention is the provision of a dentalarticulator including adjustable stop means to adjustably limit theswinging movement of the support means of the apparatus with respect tothe base means thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a dental articulatorincluding special support socket means for the spherical fulcrum membersthereof to provide better alignment and to enable adjustment of thefreedom of movement of such fulcrum members.

Yet Ianother object of the invention is to provide means for readilyindicating the spacing of the support means with respect to the basemeans.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a dental articulatorwhich is simple and inexpensive in construction, and yet which at thesame time is quite efficient and reliable in use.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a noveldenture model including a plate or platform therein which enables theplaster mounting to be of thicker construction and which provides abetter mechanical interconnection with the plaster mounting.

Other objects and many attendant advantages of the invention will becomemore apparent when considered in .Connection with the specification andaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side View of the articulator according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 2looking in the direction ofthe arrows;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG 1looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 5 5 of FIG. 1looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a sectional View taken substantially along line 6 6 of FIG. 1looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 7 is a top view of the plate or platform mounted in the denturemodel employed with the articulator of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the basemeans includes a base plate 10 having three integral leg portions 12, 14and 16 exten-ding downwardly therefrom for supporting the base plateabove a suitable supporting surface. As seen particularly in FIG. 3,base plate 10 includes a pair of upwardly extending projections 18 and20 which are adapted to fit within corresponding recesses providedwithin a plate or platform 22 mounted in the lower portion of amandibular model indicated generally by reference numeral 23. Anchormeans for holding the mandibular model in place includes a wing screw 24extending upwardly through a hole provided in plate 10 and beingthreaded into a correspondingly threaded hole provided in platform 22.It will be understood that wing screw 24 is adapted to support either amodel or a template upon the base plate 10 as desired.

Referring particularly to FIG. 7 which illustrates a top view of theplate .or platform 22, it will be noted that three holes 25, 26 and 27are provided through plate 22. Holes 2S and 26 are adapted to receivethe projections 18 and 20 previously described, and the central hole 26is threaded for receiving the wing screw 24. Four posts 28 of generallycylindrical configuration extend upwardly from the upper surface of theplate and are embedded within the plaster mounting portion 24a of themodel 24 as seen in FIG. 3i. Referring again to FIG. 7, it will be notedthat the posts 28 are disposed symmetrically about the plate, and theseposts enable the plaster mounting to be of a thicker constructionthereby substantially eliminating cracking of such mount* ing. The outeredge 29 of plate 22 is beveled as seen most clearly in FIG. 3 so as toflare upwardly and outwardly away from the undersurface of the modelthereby providing a better mechanical interconnection with the plastermounting.

The base plate 10 includes a plurality of integral upwardly extendingbosses 30 and 32 at opposite sides thereof and a central boss 34. Asseen in FIGURE 4, the bosses 30 and 32 include vertically extendingrelatively smooth bores 36 and 38 therewithin, while the bore 40disposed within boss 34 is threaded for receiving an a-djusting screwIhereinafter described.

As seen most clearly in FIG. 4, a pair of guide members 50 and 52 whichmay be of generally tubular construction are slidably received withinthe bores 36 and 38 of bosses 30 and 32 respectively. The upper ends 50and 52 of the guide members S0 and 52 respectively are threaded and arethreaded within correspondingly threaded bores provided in a crossheadmember 54 spanning the two guide members. Lock nuts S6 and 58 arethreaded on guide members and 52 and are disposed in abuttingrelationship with the undersurface of crosshead member 54 for retainingthe structure in the operative assembled relationship illustrated.

A first socket member includes an inwardly facing recess 62 defining aportion of a spherical Surface. Member 60 also includes a generallyhorizontally extending portion 64 having a threaded bore formedtherethrough for receiving the upper threaded end lof guide member 50. Alock nut 66 is threaded on the uppermost end of guide member S0 forretaining the socket member 60 in the operative position shown.

A similar socket member 70 is provided `having a vertically extendingportion defining on the inner surface thereof a recess 72 which is aportion of a spherical surface. Socket member 70 also includes agenerally horizontally extending portion 74 having a threaded boreformed therethrough for receiving the upper threaded end of guide member52. A lock nut 76 is threaded on the uppermost end of guide member 52for retaining socket member 70 in the operative position illustrated.

A further socket member 80 includes a generally vertically extendingportion having a recess 82 on the inner surface thereof defining aportion of a spherical surface, this last-mentioned recess beingdisposed in opposed facing relationship to the recess 62 previouslydescribed. Socket member 80 also includes a generally horizontallyextending portion 84 having a slot 86 formed therethrough which receivesa locking screw 88 which is threaded into a suitable threaded boreprovided in the upper surface of the cross member 54. With thisarrangement, the position of socket member 80 may be adjusted toward andaway from the socket member 60 so as to provide the desired degree ofpressure on the spherical fulcrum member received therebetween ashereinafter described.

A further socket member 90 includes a generally vertically extendingportion having a recess 92 in the inner surface thereof defining aportion of a spherical surface. Recess 92 is disposed in opposed facingrelationship to recess 72 and is adapted to receive a sperical fulcrummember therewithin. Socket member 90 includes a generally Ihorizontallyextending portion 94 having a slot formed therethrough which receives alock screw 98 which is threaded into a suitable threaded bore providedin the upper surface of crosshead member 54. With this arrangement, theposition of socket member 90 may be adjusted with respect to theaforedescribed socket member 70.

The means for adjusting the position of the crosshead with respect tothe base means comprises an adjusting screw 100 having opposite threadsdisposed thereon above and below a lthumb wheel 102 disposed at anintermediate portion thereof. The lower portion of the adjusting screwis threaded within the bore 40 provided in the boss 34 previouslydescribed on the base means, and the upper portion of the adjustingscrew is threaded within a suitable bore provided in the central part ofcrosshead member 54. A lock means in the form of a wing nut 104 isthreadedly mounted on the upper end of adjusting screw 100 for lockingit in desired operative position.

The guide members 50 and 52 are provided with suitable indicating means108 and 110 respectively on the outer surface thereof. This indicatingmeans may take the form of lines scribed thereon, and if so desiredthese lines may be marked in a suitable manner. In any event, theselines may be aligned with the upper ends of the bosses 30 and 32respectively. When a particular line is aligned with the top of a boss,it will indicate a speciic spacing of the cross head and the supportedcomponents above the base means. In this manner, a means is provided forreadily visibly indicating in a very accurate manner the exact spacingof the componens of the apparatus.

A first spherical fulcrum member is journalled within the recesses 62and 82 and has a bore extending through the axis thereof slidablyreceiving a rod 122. A set screw 124 is threaded within a radial boreprovided through fulcrum member 120 and is adapted to engage the rod 122for securing it in desired operative relationship with respect to thefulcrum member. An enlarged portion 126 is formed at one end of the rodfor facilitating manual grasping thereof, the opposite end of the rodbeing of reduced dimension and extending through a portion of thesupport means indicated by reference numeral 128, the outermost end ofrod 122 being threaded and receiving a nut 130 thereon for connectingthe support means 128 to the rod. A similar spherical fulcrum member isjournalled within the recesses 72 and 92, this fulcrum member having abore formed through the axis thereof and slidably receiving a rod 142.Rod 142 includes an enlarged end 146, and the opposite end thereofextends through a suitable hole provided in the supportV means 128 andis provided with a reduced threaded end portion receiving a nut forconnecting the support means to rod 142.

The support means 128 includes a forwardly extending plate portion 154having a pair of depending projections 156 and 158 formed thereon asseen most clearly in FIG. 3. These projections are adapted to fit withincorresponding recesses provided Within a suitable means such as theupper portion 160 of a template means. An anchor means in the form of awing screw 162 extends downwardly through a suitable hole provided inplate portion 154 and as illustrated in FIG. 3 is threaded within asuitably threaded bore provided in the portion 160 of the templatemeans. It will also be understood that screw 162 may be employed forsupporting a maxillary model on the support means if so desired.

A pair of integral depending portions 164 and 166 extend downwardly fromportion 160 and are provided with a threaded bore 168 and an enlargedbore 170 respectively as seen most clearly in FIG. 6. The templateitself includes an arcuate plate-like portion 174 having a wing 176extending upwardly therefrom as seen in FIG. 6, this wing being disposedbetween the spaced portions 164 and 166 previously described. Anadjusting bolt 180 extends through the hole provided in portion 166, andthe adjusting bolt includes a reduced threaded end portion 182 which maybe threaded through the threaded hole 168 provided in portion 164. Theadjusting bolt may be employed for supporting the plate-like portion 174in any suitable adjusted relationship with respect to the portions 164and 166.

It should be understood that the template is ordinarily employed forsetting up the upper teeth initially in usual procedures. In the presentinvention, the template is illustrated as mounted in position so as toset up the lower teeth, and it should be understood that this proceduremay be carried out prior to setting up the upper teeth if so desired.

As seen in FIG. l, the wing 176 of the template is provided with anelongated slot 184 for facilitating suitable adjustment of the template.

The stop means of the present invention includes a pair of stop portions200 and 202 formed integral with the crosshead member 54 and definingobliquely extending stop surfaces 204 and 206 respectively. As seen inFIG. 6, support rneans 128 is provided with laterally extendingprojections 210 and 212 adapted to support the adjustable supportmembers of the present invention. As seen particularly in FIG. 5, afirst adjustable support member indicated generally by reference numeral220 includes an enlarged upper end portion 222 and a lower threaded endportion 224 which terminates in a stop portion 226 adapted to engage thestop surface 204. The threaded portion 224 is threaded through asuitable threaded opening provided in portion 210 of the support means128 and through a member 228 which actually is a lock nut but includes alaterally extending portion to facilitate manual operation thereof.

A similar adjustable stop member is indicated generally by referencenumeral 230, this stop member including an enlarged upper end portion232 and a lower threaded end portion 234 which terminates in a lower endportion 236 engageable with the stop surface 206. Threaded portion 232is threaded through suitable bores provided in projection 212 and a locknut 238 having a laterally extending manually engageable projection.

In operation of the apparatus, the general procedures as set forth inthe aforementioned U.S. patent are followed, and the indicating means108 and 110 on the guide members 50 and 52 respectively will enableaccurate positioning of the crosshead and support means with respect tothe base means. Additionally, the socket members 80 and 90 may beadjusted toward and away Vfrom the socket members 60 and 70 respectivelyfor adjusting the freedom of movement of the fulcrum members 120 and 140and to also obtain better alignment of the support -means with -respectto the base means. After having set up the teeth in the usual maner andutilizing a predetermined adjustment of the adjustable stop means toensure that the plate portion 154 of the support means is substantiallyparallel with the base plate means 10, the adjustable stop members maythen be readjusted by loosening up the lock nuts 228 and 238 and thenthreading the members 220 and 230 so as to extend them furtherdownwardly thereby limiting the downward swinging movement of thesupport means 128. After having made this adjustment, the teeth may bemilled wherein the teeth are supported both on the base means and thesupport means to obtain the desired end product. The adjustable stopmembers may then be subsequently readjusted for setting up a newartificial denture.

It is apparent from the foregoing that there is provided according tothe present invention a new and novel dental articulator especiallyadapted for making `and fitting artiicial dentures. Adjustable stopmembers are provided for adjusting the swinging movement of the supportmeans with respect to the base means. Special fulcrum support membersare provided for providing better alignment of the support means withrespect to the base means and for adjusting the freedom of movement ofthe support means. In addition, means is provided for readily visuallyindicating the exact spacing of the support means and crosshead withrespect to the base means. The apparatus is additionally quite simpleand inexpensive in construction, and yet efficient and reliable in use.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the presentembodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, and since thescope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, all changesthat fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form theirfunctional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents are thereforeintended to be embraced by those claims.

I claim: i

1. A dental articulator comprising base means, anchor means on said basemeans for supporting a model means thereon, guide means on said basemeans, a crosshead including guide means slidably engaging said lirstguide means for guiding movement of said crosshead with respect to saidbase means, adjusting means for manually adjusting the position of saidcrosshead with respect to said base means, irst socket means mounted onsaid crosshead and defining a pair of spaced opposed recesses each ofwhich defines a portion of spherical surface, a

pair of spherical fulcrum members each of which is received in one ofsaid recesses and held in place therewithin, a pair of rods each ofwhich adjustably extends through the axis of one of said fulcrummembers, support means connected with said rods, anchor means on saidsupport means for supporting a model means thereon, and adjustable stopon said support means for limiting the swinging movement of said supportmeans with respect to said crosshead and base means.

2. Apparatus as dened in claim 1 wherein said stop means includes a pairof stop members mounted on said crosshead, and a pair of stop membersmounted on said support means, said last-mentioned stop members eachbeing adjustably mounted with respect to said support means foradjusting the position of the last-mentioned stop members with respectto the support means.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said stop membersmounted on said support means is threadedly mounted thereon forpermitting ready adjustment thereof.

4. lApparatus as dened in claim 3 including lock nut means for lockingthe position of the last-mentioned stop members for holding such stopmembers in desired adjusted position.

5. Aparatus as dened in claim 1 including seoond socket means comprisinga pair of socket members each of which has a recess therein dening aportion of a spherical surface, each of said last-mentioned socketmembers being adjustably mounted on said crosshead and being in facingopposed relation to one of said rst-mentioned socket means.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 including means for locking saidadjustable socket members in desired spaced relationship to saidfirst-mentioned socket means for adjusting the freedom of movement ofsaid spherical fulcrum members.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the guide means on said basemeans comprises a pair of hollow bosses, the guide means on saidcrosshead comprising a pair of guide members each of which is slidablypositioned within one of said bosses, said guide members havingindicating means thereon for accurately indicating the spacing of thecrosshead and associated] support means with respect to the base means.

8. Apparatus as delined in claim 1 wherein the guide means on said basemeans comprises a pair of hollow bosses, the guide means on saidcrosshead comprising a pair of guide members each of which. is slidablypositioned within one of said bosses, said adjusting means comprising anadjusting screw, one end of said adjusting screw being threaded within aboss mounted on said base means, the opposite end of said adjustingscrew being threaded within a boss on said crosshead, each of saidspherical fulcrum members having a bore formed therethrough, each ofsaid rods being slidably positioned within the bore of an associatedfulcrum member, means for locking the rods in desired operativerelationship with respect to said fulcrum members, said adjustable stopmeans comprising a pair of stop members disposed in fixed relationshipWith respect to said crosshead, and a pair of adjustable stop membersmounted on said support means, each of said last-mentioned stop membersbeing independently adjustable with respect to said support means andengageable with said first-mentioned stop members, and lock means forlocking said adjustable stop members in desired adjusted position.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 including second socket meanscomprising a pair of socket members each of which includes a recessdefining a portion of a spherical surface, each of said last-mentionedsocket members being adjustably mounted upon said crosshead and being inopposed facing relationship to one of said first-mentioned socket means.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein at least one of said guidemembers on said crosshead is provided with indicating means thereon foraccurately indicating the spacing of said crosshead and said supportmeans with respect to said base means.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including template means adjustablysupported on said support means and retained in position by said anchormeans on said support means.

12. A denture model for use on an articulator including a plastermounting of substantial thickness, a rigid plate mounted in the lowerportion of said plaster mounting, said plate having a plurality of holesformed therethrough one of which is threaded for receiving an anchormeans, said holes being exposed at the undersurface of said model, saidplate including post means extending from said plate into the plastermounting to enable the plaster mounting References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 2,180,673 11/1939 Galetti 32--32 2,234,411 3/1941 McDonald 32-322,348,606 5/1944 Cayo 32-32 3,123,914 3/1964 De Pietro 32--32 LOUIS G.MANCENE, Primary Examiner.

to be of substantial thickness, the edge portions of said l5 R, PESHOCK,Assistant Examiner.

1. A DENTAL ARTICULATOR COMPRISING BASE MEANS ANCHOR MEANS ON SAID BASEMEANS FOR SUPPORTING A MODEL MEANS THEREON, GUIDE MEANS ON SAID BASEMEANS, A CROSSHEAD INCLUDING GUIDE MEANS SLIDABLY ENGAGING SAID FIRSTGUIDE MEANS FOR GUIDING MOVEMENT OF SAID CROSSHEAD WITH RESPECT TO SAIDBASE MEANS, ADJUSTING MEANS FOR MANUALLY ADJUSTING THE POSITION OF SAIDCROSSHEAD WITH RESPECT TO SAID BASE MEANS, FIRST SOCKET MEANS MOUNTED ONSAID CROSSHEAD AND DEFINING A PAIR OF SPACED OPPOSED RECESSES EACH OFWHICH DEFINES A PORTION OF SPERICAL SURFACE, A PAIR OF SPHERICAL FULCRUMMEMBERS EACH OF WHICH IS RECEIVED IN ONE OF SAID RECESSES AND HELD INPLACE THEREWITHIN, A PAIR OF RODS EACH OF WHICH ADJUSTABLY EXTENDSTHROUGH THE AXIS OF ONE OF SAID FULCRUM MEMBERS, SUPPORT MEANS CONNECTEDWITH SAID RODS, ANCHOR MEANS ON SAID SUPPORT MEANS FOR SUPPORTING AMODEL MEANS THEREON, AND ADJUSTABLE STOP ON SAID SUPPORT MEANS FORLIMITING THE SWINGING MOVEMENT OF SAID SUPPORT MEANS WITH RESPECT TOSAID CROSSHEAD AND BASE MEANS.